The Hong Kong business outlook remains resilient despite increased economic uncertainty, with companies continuing to prioritise overseas expansion, digital transformation and supply-chain resilience, according to UOB's Business Outlook Study 2026. The survey suggests businesses remain cautiously optimistic about future growth despite softer current sentiment. Among 255 business owners and senior executives surveyed, 63% viewed current business conditions positively, compared

Bond Connect will receive significant policy support after China's central bank announced measures to increase mainland investment into Hong Kong's bond market and broaden the programme's product offering. The Bond Connect enhancements form part of Beijing's continuing efforts to strengthen Hong Kong's role as an international financial centre. People's Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng said the annual net investment quota for the southbound segment will increase to RMB800

China refinancing rules could become more flexible after the China Securities Regulatory Commission proposed changes designed to help listed companies raise capital more efficiently while strengthening investor protection. The proposed reforms form part of Beijing's broader efforts to improve financing channels for high-quality companies pursuing innovation and business expansion. Under the draft measures, eligible companies would be allowed to conduct multiple share issuance

Hong Kong wealth remains among the world's highest after the city ranked fourth globally for wealth per adult in the latest UBS Global Wealth Report, highlighting its continued strength as an international financial and wealth management centre. The report underscores Hong Kong's importance for private banks, family offices and investment managers serving affluent clients across Asia. UBS reported average wealth per adult in Hong Kong of USD648,267, placing the city behind on

The Philippines upper-middle income classification has been restored by the World Bank after the country's gross national income per capita increased to a record USD4,850, reflecting several years of sustained economic expansion. The milestone is expected to enhance the country's international investment profile while strengthening confidence among foreign investors and financial institutions. The Philippines had remained in the lower middle-income category since 1987 and nar

China family wealth has reached RMB145tr (USD20.2tr), with Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong remaining the country's leading centres for affluent households, according to a report by Bank of East Asia and the Hurun Research Institute. The findings underline the concentration of wealth in China's major financial hubs and reinforce the importance of the Greater Bay Area as a key market for private banks, family offices and wealth managers. Hong Kong recorded around 521,000 afflue

Singapore China capital markets cooperation has been reinforced after the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the China Securities Regulatory Commission reaffirmed their commitment to closer supervisory and regulatory collaboration during their 10th annual supervisory roundtable held in Singapore on June 29. Officials reviewed developments in both equity markets, including Singapore's Equity Market Development Programme and reforms to China's STAR Market and ChiNext exchanges

The APAC banking outlook remains broadly stable despite growing geopolitical risks, although Asia-Pacific banks could face an additional USD180bn in credit losses if conflict in the Middle East persists, according to S&P Global Ratings. The warning forms part of the agency's latest midyear assessment of regional banking conditions. S&P said that 92% of Asia-Pacific bank ratings continue to carry stable outlooks, reflecting expectations that credit ratings will remain largely

Global financial institutions are increasingly prioritising South Korea for regional expansion while adopting a more cautious approach towards China and India, according to a joint survey by the Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association and KPMG. The South Korea financial sector has become one of the region's fastest-growing destinations for international financial firms. Approximately two-thirds of the 34 institutions surveyed plan to expand across Asia-Pacifi

China's new outbound investment rules, effective from July 1, are expected to reshape rather than reduce overseas expansion by Chinese companies using Singapore as their regional base, according to entrepreneurs, investors and advisers. The China outbound investment rules introduce more comprehensive supervision while maintaining support for international business expansion. The regulations establish "full-process supervision" over outbound investments and extend national sec

Shanghai should strengthen its role as China's principal financial centre for companies expanding internationally, potentially increasing competition with Hong Kong, according to Shanghai Finance Institute vice-president Liu Xiaochun. The Shanghai financial hub proposal argues that growing outbound investment requires broader financial support than a single international centre can provide. Liu acknowledged Hong Kong's established position as a mature global financial hub but

Japan's private equity market maintained strong momentum during 2025, with deal value reaching JPY4.8tr (USD29.8bn), marking the fifth consecutive year above JPY3tr, according to Bain & Company's Japan Private Equity Report 2026. The Japan private equity market continues to benefit from governance reforms, larger buyout transactions and improving operational performance. Exit value reached a record JPY2.4tr as sponsors disposed of older investments, while transactions exceedi

Asia has become the world's dominant centre for wealth creation, now accounting for 58% of the global billionaire population, according to Josh Gardner, chief executive of data consultancy Kung Fu Data. The Asia wealth creation trend highlights the region’s growing influence on global entrepreneurship, investment and family wealth. Gardner said New York remains the world's leading billionaire city, but Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing now occupy the next three positions, while

Hong Kong is on course for one of its strongest initial public offering performances in recent years, with EY forecasting that the Hong Kong IPO market will deliver 84 listings raising HKD209.8bn (USD26.8bn) during the first half of 2026. The projected fundraising would rank Hong Kong second globally and represents proceeds 92% above the average first-half level recorded over the past five years. EY maintained its full-year forecast of HKD320bn in IPO proceeds, citing a robus

Southeast Asia has become the leading international expansion destination for Chinese companies, with finance executives increasingly viewing the region as the primary engine for future growth, according to new research from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. The Southeast Asia growth outlook reflects changing global supply chains and rising cross-border investment opportunities. ACCA’s CFO Leadership in Globalisation study found that 57% of Chinese finance l

South Korea will continue pursuing inclusion in MSCI’s developed-market index after the country remained classified as an emerging market because of unresolved foreign-exchange restrictions. The South Korea MSCI decision highlights continuing concerns among international investors over market accessibility despite ongoing regulatory reforms. MSCI said limited offshore convertibility of the Korean won and insufficient onshore liquidity during extended foreign-exchange trading

China is proposing significantly tougher sanctions for accounting firms involved in fraudulent corporate reporting as regulators intensify efforts to improve market integrity and investor confidence. The proposed China auditor penalties form part of a wider campaign targeting financial misconduct among listed companies and market intermediaries. Under draft amendments to the Certified Public Accountants Law, the maximum fine for issuing false audit reports would increase from

Moody’s Ratings has downgraded the Philippine banking outlook to negative from stable, citing risks from higher oil prices, inflation pressures and weaker economic momentum linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The revised Philippine banking outlook reflects concerns that banks may face slower credit growth and deteriorating asset quality over the coming year. The ratings agency said rising energy costs and inflation could weaken consumer spending, business conf

China has unveiled a comprehensive 15-point programme aimed at strengthening foreign capital inflows and improving the business environment for international investors. The China foreign investment plan includes measures to expand market access, facilitate fundraising and support foreign participation in domestic capital markets. The initiative, jointly released by the commerce ministry, state planner and finance ministry, covers sectors including finance, services, pharmaceu

Singapore accounts for the majority of Southeast Asia’s most heavily funded women co-founded companies, according to a new ranking by Tracxn. The women-led startups Singapore ecosystem represented 15 of the region’s 25 highest-funded businesses, highlighting the city-state’s strength in entrepreneurship and venture capital. Collectively, the companies have raised approximately USD16.5bn in equity funding as of May 15 across sectors including fintech, enterprise software, cons